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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Status.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

127 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to downgrade Waterford Regional Hospital from band one to band two status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13386/99]

I can assure the Deputy that I have no plans to downgrade Waterford regional hospital.

The banding system which the Deputy refers to relates to the categorisation of director of nursing-matron posts within five pay bands which was introduced as part of the 1997 nurses pay agreement. Waterford regional hospital is classed as Band 1 within this system.

In the course of discussions on the implementation of the report of the commission on nursing which took place as recommended by the Labour Court recently (LCR 16084), the alliance of nursing unions sought a restructuring of the bands which would include Waterford regional hospital in Band 2. The management side, represented by the health services employers agency, opposed this proposal.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Labour Court is currently considering claims from the alliance of nursing unions arising from LCR 16084. The court met both parties on 29 and 30 April last. In view of the complexity of the issues involved, it has arranged to meet the parties again separately – the management side today and the nursing alliance next week. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to make any further comment at this stage.
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